A fashion show is, essentially, just a parade of cool clothes if you strip away all the additional elements such as music, hairstyling and makeup artistry.

These auxiliary artists are essential to ensuring a designer’s vision for a show come together. Perfectly.

As a veteran backstage beauty pro, Leah Elliston knows all about this. The Vancouver-based artist and Blanche Macdonald instructor has travelled the world assisting with makeup for runway shows for designers including Roberto Cavalli, Vivienne Westwood, Giambattista Valli, Balmain and Chloé and more.

With fashion month — the twice-yearly style whirlwind that sees fashion elite travel to New York, London, Milan and Paris in search of the latest runway trends — at a close, we caught up with Elliston to learn more about her backstage beauty experiences, how she got into the business and what she likes most about her chosen career.

Q. When and why did you first get into makeup artistry?

A. By accident! I actually wanted to be a curator for an art gallery. I always loved art and I was obsessed with fashion. I didn’t consider a job in the fashion industry because it seemed unattainable. I was studying art history in college and worked part-time as a fragrance demo at Hudson’s Bay downtown. I became friendly with some of the girls who worked at the MAC counter, and one day they suggested I apply as a cashier. After I got the job, I quickly realized how closely related makeup was to fashion and art. Working side by side with some of the best artists in the city I learned a lot, I practised a lot, and eventually I built up my skill set.

Q. What do you like most about working in this industry?

Leah Elliston.

A. I like the variety of the work. There are a lot of different facets to the industry. I’ve worked with beauty brands and been on the business side of things. I’ve collaborated with companies creating makeup looks. I’ve been a trainer and I’m currently an instructor at Blanche Macdonald. I also work on photo shoots, and backstage at shows. I’ll even do the odd wedding here and there.

Q. You’re a fashion week veteran. What’s it like being backstage at some of the biggest shows like Balmain, Chloe and Roberto Cavalli?

A. It actually starts off fairly calm. You arrive, set up your station, watch the demonstration of the makeup look to be recreated, then you start working on the models. About halfway into the three-hour time frame you have before showtime, things start to get progressively more hectic. The volume of people backstage starts to increase with photographers, and all types of media documenting the backstage environment and interviewing people. There are often models running in late from previous shows, which means we have to do their makeup, sometimes, in only a few minutes.

At times it feels like absolute chaos. But when all the models are lined up with makeup, hair, and dressed ready to walk, the lights go down, the music starts, and the first girl walks out, it is actually one of my favourite moments.

Q. Do you have a favourite look that you’ve created? If so, which one and why?

A. The most memorable look I’ve worked on recently was created by Grace Lee, the lead makeup artist for Maybelline N.Y., for the Cushnie show. We used a combination of warm terracotta brown lipsticks on the lips, but also that same combo was on eyes and cheeks. Black gel eyeliner was used on the upper lash-line and extended straight out for a “cool girl” flick. The result was this gorgeous, tonal makeup that looked stunning on an array of skin tones.

Q. What might surprise people to learn about being an artist at fashion week?

A. The amount of stamina you need — because you’re often running on little sleep and a lack of food because you’re on the go so much. Late shows or makeup tests are often followed by very early call times. Plus, you’re dragging a makeup kit around that often weighs a ton despite your best efforts to downsize.

Q. And what’s one thing you wish you could set straight about fashion week?

A. One thing people often assume is that the looks created for shows are completely over the top. When in actual fact the majority are not. It’s often about beautiful skin, a well-groomed eyebrow, and sometimes just lip balm. It really can be as simple as that.

Q. What’s the best piece of advice you’ve received in your career?

A. I know it sounds cliché but having a good attitude is the best advice I’ve ever been given. Quite frankly, without it I would not have had half the experiences throughout my career that I’ve had. It’s a competitive industry — there’s no need to keep people around who don’t have a good attitude. You can replace them with someone else who’s more willing to do the job, no matter how menial certain tasks might seem.

Q. Lastly, what’s next?

A. I’ve still got a few more years in me for being backstage. I can still see myself being a makeup artist in the industry for the foreseeable future because I still have a passion for it. I do, however, want to get back into writing my blog smudgestyle.com. I started it years ago to talk about makeup, beauty and fashion. Over the past year I stopped and now I’m in the process of revamping the site.